RESTAURANT EL MESQUITE

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed flats of raw shell eggs in reach in cooler in kitchen over pre-packaged butter chips, owner moved the eggs to bottom shelf. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products.

Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at hand wash sink in kitchen next to three compartment sink, owner replaced. Corrected On-Site Repeat Violation

Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed raw shell eggs out on counter, with no written plan, owner stated eggs have been out ten minutes placed back in reach in cooler, sent operator a copy by email and went over. Corrective Action Taken

Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gasket in reach in cooler on cook line. Repeat Violation

Basic - Screen in door torn/in poor repair - vermin present. Observed holes in screen door by side entrance in the kitchen. Repeat Violation

Basic - Stored food not covered. Observed pan of raw ground beef not covered in reach in freezer in kitchen.

Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed chlorine solution reading at 25ppm, employee changed the water in 3-compartment sink and new chlorine solution reading at 50ppm. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Wiping cloth sanitizing solution stored on the floor. Observed cloth chlorine sanitizing solution on the floor in the kitchen, owner moved. Corrected On-Site

Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. Observed exit door in dining room is blocked. Repeat Violation

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed torn gaskets in the reach in cooler in the kitchen. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-15: Time Extended

Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Screen in door torn/in poor repair - vermin present. Observed back screen door is torn. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-15: Time Extended

• From initial inspection : Marked exit/path to marked exit blocked. For reporting purposes only. Observed a table blocking the exit door in the dining room. - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-15: Time Extended

High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed non food grade bags used in the freezer and reach in.

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Observed the reach in freezer with chicken repackaged and stored over beef and seafood. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed a mold like substance on the ice drop tray on the inside of the ice machine.

High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. Observed no vacuum breaker on the hose bibb under the preparation sink located in the kitchen. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-06: Time Extended

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. Observed no chlorine test strips for sanitizer bucket or 3 compartment sinks. Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-06: Time Extended

Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed no soap at handwashing sink in wait station. Owner placed soap at sink. Corrected On-Site Warning - From follow-up inspection 2024-11-06: Time Extended

High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Bserved tortillas stored in damp cloth and covered by garbage bag in reach in cooler. Operator discarded tortillas touching cloth and rewrapped others in deli paper and plastic wrap. Corrected On-Site

High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed thank you take out bags used to store raw meats in reac in chest freezer.

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs over jug of milk and bread and cut vegetables operator rearranged shelves. Corrected On-Site

Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Inspector provided form and operator had employees sign during inspection Corrected On-Site

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pork cooked two days ago not dated at working cooler across from steam table. Operator dated. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed box of potatoes stored n floor at back door. Operator moved to shelving. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior of bulk flour containers with old grease and food debris.

High Priority - Chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Corrected On-Site

High Priority - Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands - food was not being heated as a sole ingredient to 145 degrees F or immediately added to other ingredients to be cooked/heated to the minimum required temperature to allow bare hand contact. Establishment has no approved Alternative Operating Procedure. Observed cook making tortillas and removing from grill with bare hand. Manager corrected. Corrected On-Site

High Priority - Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food. Observed raw meat stored in to go bags with food on contract with bags.

Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Inspector emailed form and operator had employees read sign and date during inspection. Corrected On-Site

Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Observed beverage glasses stored nested while still wet.

Basic - Equipment and utensils not rinsed between washing and sanitizing. Employee washing and sanitizing with no rinse step. Manager corrected and rinse sink was set up. Corrected On-Site

Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed ice scoop stored on bucket with debris observed inside. Manager had items sent through dishwash. Corrected On-Site

High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over home fries. Observed bag of hash browns and bag of shredded cooked chicken stored on top of and touching raw shell eggs. Operator rearranged shelves with ready to eat foods above raw meats. Corrected On-Site

High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over raw beef in reach in cooler at cookline. Operator rearranged shelves. Corrected On-Site

Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink at back prep area.

Basic - Hood filters/grease extractors not clean.

Basic - Light shield damaged/in disrepair. No light shell observed on light fixture in dry storage room which also hold coolers and clean dish ware.